Hey all,
I'm gathering the parts to build one of Robert Brown's Arduino-based motorized focusers . It's supposed to work with the Moonlite driver under Linux (at least the Version 1 iteration).
Anybody have any experience with this? I'm sure I will have questions. Has anyone gotten Version 2 to work with Ekos and INDI on a Mac or Linux platform?
Thx!

Hello fewayne,
I have 3 working DIY focusers running successfully and more are in our local club. Only version 1 is suitable for Linux at the moment. You must select a moonlite in the INDILib. All my three newton scopes make autofocus with Robert Browns focuser and CCDCiel as software.
Thomas

Hi,

i had one version2 running (not 100% complete) for my own use. Currently no time to develop that further and give full support to a userbase. Robert Brown now has my sources and his intention was to develop this further. Don't know what the current status is.

He is on this forum, so probably will get this message.

Regards,

Paul

I have made two of these and have the version 1 under Linux and version 2 working on Windows and SGP. As far as I am concerned version 1 works perfectly with EKOS and the only advantage in version 2 would be using temp compensation which to be honest is more trouble than its worth. It is ultra reliable and robust.
Mike

I would appreciate to have an dedicated INDI Driver for this great project. No matter if for version1 or 2.
For instance, I had to set "coil power" with my windows PC because there is no such option with the moonlite focuser.
Thomas

I have 2 running, one on my Tal200, another one on a TS photoline. both require different settings, which I "programmed" on an old XP laptop. They run well under EKOS, originally on a MAC, and now on a RaspberryPi3. the first implementation involved a belt driven system, and the v curves were "funky" due to some slack in that system. I now have the stepper driving the focuser directly and that works great. 7-20 iterations and I have very reliable results...

Satisfied user here. Robert is very responsive and his software is full featured and well documented. Works fine on Stellarmate/Indi. My only criticism is the cost of getting the official PCBs. I have them on my RC8 and WO Zenithstar 126 using a shared homebrew controller. If you use version 2.03 hardware you can load either MFP or MFP2